Hello from wellington, New Zealand

C

Chris Bates

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Hi, my name is Chris, now semi-retired. I became interested with G Scale after attending a model train expo in my town. After talking with a few of the G Scale members there I decided to buy a starter set. Since then I've added a further engine (with sound) and a tram. I now have a track going around a small garden with a tunnel (see pic), running DC. (The grandkids love it) I would like to automate it, but not sure what I need. I assume I need a DCC system so I can have sound, whistle for entering the tunnel. I will build a station, so want it to pull into the station, stop for a while, and just operate at various times of the day. Any help on where to start would be much appreciated.
 

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Welcome to the forum Chris.

There are a few Kiwis here on the forum, but help from afar is also available....
 
Welcome Chris!

You don't have to go DCC, to have sound.. - You can use track-magnets to trigger sounds. Many LGB loco's can have the reed-switches fitted, and some already do.

Having something running automated, will put a lot of wear on the models, very quickly. - Do turn them 180° and run them in both directions. This will even out the wear..

You can also have things like 'station stop' with dead-rail systems. This can have quite long delays, and a random element to the times.
This also means the Grandkids can control the 'train' quite easily.

But then I would say that. :nerd:

PhilP.
 
Welcome to the Forum, dead rail if you are not familiar with it is Battery Power built into the loco with a control system, typically by a hand set. Sound can be a My Loco Sound (MLS) unit, some that can be operated by the remote different systems can do between 3 or 5 sounds on the MLS.
 
Greetings from Central Europe, so the G scale bug has bitten again! That might be a track around a small garden now but from little acorns etc.
As some of the others have said you don't need DCC for what you have in mind, there are relatively cheap and easy analogue ways of doing what you want. The big BUT as far as I can see (based on my personal experience) is to decide now where the railway will be later on, if you are thinking big then I would say future-proof yourself and start with digital, it is easier to do it now than retrofit later and some things cannot be retrofitted. Your call.
As far as the forum goes feel free to ask questions and tap into the vast database of knowledge and experience here, we are all happy to help.
Before the doomsayers get in I think you should know that we all have a perfectly normal and respectable sense of humour, we are adults after all. :wasntme:
 
Welcome, Chris! I've nothing to add to the advice that you've already been given. It does seem that small beginnings get extended...and extended...and extended!
 
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